It’s not news that here at The X we have a unique business model that relies heavily on author and community participation. While we wish we had a half dozen marketing people to dedicate to each title, that’s not going to happen any time soon, so each individual author must take responsibility to help push along their own title. After all, you, the author, get sixty cents (60%) of every dollar of royalties. And it’s your name your readers will remember.
Below are some things you can do to help. I suggest making notes as good ideas come to you. If you have questions, suggestions, or need clarification, fire them off to me or to Amanda in an email (scott@xchylerpublishing.com or Amanda@xchylerpublishing.com). Every bit of input is appreciated, and there is no question too basic.
1. Social Networking: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Ryze, BranchOut GoodReads, Shelfari, Pintrest, Delicious, Digg, Meetup . . . the list goes on and on. You can easily get into social media overload trying to promote your book. So be careful, pick the one that most closely targets the people you are trying to reach, and become a presence. Don’t just become another voice in the crowd trying to hawk their wares—become a trusted expert.
2. Personal Networking: Lots of overlap with social networking, of course, but more targeted. Tell the people you know about what you’re writing. Give them reasons to tell the people they know. To do this you’ll need what I like to call an “elevator summary” of your book or story, something that explains your work in thirty seconds or less. Pass it around. It’s a great way to build personal interest and word of mouth.
3. Author website: This is a must. Make it functional, easy to navigate, and keep it active. Update it frequently, and link it to The X’s page about your book, and the various links on The X book page where people can buy your book.
4. Blogging: A blog is a great way to make your search terms (i.e., the name of your book) show up well on the search engines. Blog about your book, blog about your writing efforts. Nothing promotes a book more than free samples of your writing, and that’s exactly what your blog is.
5. Work with The X on publicity and media relations. Make sure you have provided your X editor with the quotables they have asked for (or will soon ask for), your well-thought-out bio, and make yourself available for author interviews and blog tours. As with everything else, if you have a good idea, let us know and we’ll help you all we can.
6. Direct marketing: It is a good idea to have an opt-in email list on your website, as well as a “Like” button on your author Facebook page, that lets you communicate directly with your fans. Send them frequent updates on what is coming next, and when they can expect it.
7. Personal marketing: Speaking events, book tours, book signings, and bookstore appearances are all excellent ways of spreading the word and selling your book. We can help you with the press kits, posters, etc., that you will need for these events, and can help you with your contacts with the bookstores. Trade shows, fairs, and other similar events are another means of personal marketing. Google them, and go to the ones near you that won’t break your personal bank. Consider getting an author table and having your works on display. The X can help you with booth materials.
Happy writing! Happy marketing! Let’s sell your book!
Scott Tarbet is a fiction author in the techno-thriller, steampunk, and paranormal genres, and is Marketing Director at The X.
